This is another post inspired by Jen at Conversion Diary. I hate typing in comments’ boxes, so I answered her questions here.
Questions for families with small houses
1. How big is your house/apartment? How many square feet, bedrooms and baths?
Our current house has 1600 square feet, currently 4 bedrooms and two full baths. One of the bedrooms was a playroom when the kids were small.
2. How many people are in your family?
We raised six children here (four girls, two boys); right now the youngest are 16 (boy) and 18(girl).
3. What are the rooming arrangements? Who shares bedrooms with whom?
The youngest two now each have their own room. The most packed we’ve ever been was when all four girls were in one room before we refitted the playroom. Bunk beds in all rooms.
4. If you could add just 150 sq. ft. of space to your house, what would you use it for?
Actually, we feel like we have! We added a 12 by 20 deck on the front two years ago, and “live” there in the summer. But since this is Michigan, it averages out to 150 sq. feet year round. :-D
5. To what extent (if any) does the size of your home impact your decision about whether or not to have more children?
Not in any way. We wanted 8 children, had to be satisfied with the 6 (living ones) God sent, and would have welcomed any more that came. This may have been influenced by the fact that I grew up with one brother in about 800 square feet, and my husband is one of seven children raised in about 1700.
6. Tell us your tips! What are some creative things you've done to fit everyone in and make it work?
For starters, buy an old house! The bedrooms are much larger. Current taste calls for big public rooms and small bedrooms (except the “master suite”.) Only now, with sons-in-law and grandchildren, is our living room too small for Christmas and such. “Needing” lots of space and separation is another form of materialism. Another thing that helped is not having a television. Eight people all curled up with books fit in less space than eight who all have to be able to "see". And of course the old "A place for everything and everything in its place." doesn't hurt at all!
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Random musings of an empty-nesting mother of six, grandmother of six handsome boys,including three-year old twins, and four charming young ladies -- with surprises due in the spring -- who hasn't had enough sleep since before her own kids were born!
About Me
- Salome Ellen
- Near a Great Lake, Michigan, United States
- Reads blogs daily, writes not nearly as often (except in NaBloPoMo). Reads anything, including candy wrappers. Even showers with a book in her hand!
4 comments:
These are great tips -- thank you for sharing!
Very interesting! I'm always interested in people's houses.
Wow! I'm impressed. I grew up in a house that is about 2000 square feet--maybe ever so slightly over, I'm not certain--and that was just with five people in the house. Often times, that seemed far too small! But then again, my family is not religious at all or really governed by Christian values, so being respectful and loving wasn't exactly at the forefront of their minds. I think that made living together very difficult at times, as everyone only really cared about themself! I often wish I had more siblings, though I still would have wanted to be the youngest. I always wanted three older brothers in addition to an older sister.
I am getting caught up on your blog now (I'm way behind...I had our first child the day after Arwen had her baby), and I wanted to say that the image of 8 people curled up with books is heavenly. Though Teddy is only 11 weeks, I cannot wait to introduce him (and future children, if we are so blessed) to the joy of reading!
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